Erpelding Heads USMEF

Chuck Zimmerman November 6, 2006

I just learned that Dennis Erpelding, Elanco Animal Health, is the new chairman of the U. S. Meat Export Federation.

That came about at their Board of Directors Strategic Planning and Marketing Conference in Cancun, Mexico last week. Knowing Dennis he’s full steam ahead on opening up new markets and promoting red meat exports.

I think the organization is in good hands.

Erpelding took over elected leadership of USMEF from outgoing chair John Bellinger, San Antonio, Tex., of Agri-West International. “I look forward to following the pattern and passion set by John Bellinger over this past year,” Erpelding said during his inaugural address. “Our commitment will continue to be communication – internally as well as to our external audiences – as we focus on market access and development.”

USMEF also elected Dan Halstrom, of Swift & Company, Greeley, Colo., as chair-elect, Jon Caspers, Swaledale, Iowa, representing National Pork Producers Council, as vice-chair, and Jim Peterson, Buffalo, Mont., representing National Cattlemen’s Beef Association as secretary-treasurer.

Ag Groups, International

Extreme Makeover Case IH Style

Chuck Zimmerman November 5, 2006

I’ve got a very interesting interview this week with Kyle Russell, Director, Livestock Marketing, Case IH.

Case IH participated in an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to help an Iowa family (The Kibe’s) who’s home was destroyed. They donated a new Case IH JX1100U tractor with a LX252 loader to the family.

Kyle talks about how they got involved with the project and what it was like to work with the ABC production crew. In the picture are Shawn Kibe on the tractor, and Kyle Russell standing with Amy Kibe.

Download this week’s program: ZimmCast 92 (6 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:

zimmcast92-11-5-06.mp3

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also subscribe in iTunes.

Audio, Tractor, ZimmCast

Challenges on the Farm

Chuck Zimmerman November 5, 2006

The challenges facing Manitoba farmers this year going into the winter are much different from the challenges they faced last year. In 2005, many farmers had empty bins from the year before, and had little or no crop, going into the second year with empty bins. One farmer told me last year, farming used to be fun, but going into the second winter with empty bins, made that a stretch. I met him hauling beans this year, and I actually detected a slight smile on his face.

While 2004 was tough, it wasn’t near as tough as 2005. For most farmers they’re playing catch up making that challenge number 1. However, playing catch up with full bins makes life a little easier. The second challenge is the restructuring by Maple Leaf Foods that has many hog producers uneasy going into the winter. While affecting hog producers primarily, it will reach back further into the pockets of grain farmers too. Combine that with ethanol and biofuel debates and the grain and hog producers will have more quandaries to face. Read More

International

Get Your PDR, PDQ

Chuck Zimmerman November 5, 2006

It’s not often that a caricature improves the looks of the subject but in this case . . .

Colonel Jon Phillips and Emery Kleven have teamed up to start the Price Discovery Report. It’s a new farm broadcast network in “Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota and Minnesota.”

Emery Kleven and Col. Jon Phillips announced that by year’s end 20 Midwest radio stations will be carrying The Price Discovery Report. A longtime livestock auctioneer and commodities broker, Col. Jon began broadcasting market reports in the early ’80s on KMNS (Sioux City, IA) and started using the phrase “price discovery” long before it became common in market vernacular. Emery said that’s why they used that name for their network and on their website, www.PriceDiscoveryReport.com. Emery is the immediate past president of NAFB.

Media

National Ag Day Guide Available

Chuck Zimmerman November 5, 2006

It’s time once again to look ahead to Ag Day 2007 and make your plans. To help you do so there’s a new planning guide available.

2007 National Ag Day materials are now available! Because of your role in American agriculture, you know just how important our industry is to the world. Agriculture is responsible for providing food, fiber and shelter; the very essentials of life. But too few people recognize this vital contribution.

That’s what National Ag Day is all about, reminding Americans of the role of agriculture in their daily lives. Widespread national awareness efforts are planned to call attention to Ag Day 2007, but we need your help to bring this message to all of our communities!

Ag Groups

Veggie Awards

Chuck Zimmerman November 4, 2006

You know I love my vegetables. They go really good with my meat of the day. So, I was interested to see the VegNews Veggie Award winners announced. I expected maybe broccoli or a nice carrot but no it’s about a lot more than that.

VegNews, America’s premier vegetarian lifestyle magazine, is set to announce the winners of the 2006 Veggie Awards, the most coveted honor in the vegetarian industry. Published in their November+December edition, the Veggie Awards are the largest survey of its kind in the world, with more than 10,000 readers voting for their favorite vegetarian people, products and places in nearly 40 categories. Also featured are 14 editors’ picks, where the magazine’s editorial staff recognizes the movers and shakers of the veg world.

Here’s a few of their “reader’s choice” awards:

Best Veg Restaurant: Millennium (San Francisco)
Best Fast Food Restaurant: Subway
Best Veggie Burger: Boca
Best Vegan Bakery: Sticky Fingers (Washington, DC)
Best Vegan Cheese: Tofutti
Best Online Store: Vegan Essentials
Best Veg-friendly City: San Francisco

Does it mean anything that they have less readers than this blog?

Food

I-70 Sunset

Chuck Zimmerman November 3, 2006

I am back and had to post this picture. This is out the windshield and what you often see driving west on I-70. I don’t know how many times I’ve looked a an I-70 sunset and thought, “There’s no way any human could create something this beautiful.”

I think this is somewhere in central Illinois. The dust clouds were everywhere as harvesting is cranking along in the heartland. Judging by how many corn and soybean fields still need to be done there’s going to be some long days in the combine over the weekend!

I had some great meetings in Indianapolis and seeing a view like this just kind of tops off a great day and a great week.

Uncategorized

Hoosier Ag Man

Chuck Zimmerman November 3, 2006

Here’s Gary Truitt in his new studio environment in Indianapolis. I stopped by Hoosier Ag Today to learn what Gary’s up to. He just kicked off a new “media” venture and is starting to use new media (farm podcasting).

I interviewed Gary and will feature that interview in an upcoming ZimmCast.

Gary’s in the middle of giving me a technical overview of how it all works and I’ve got to say I’m impressed with how he’s using the internet in a traditional farm radio network. I’m getting ready to hit the road back to Holts Summit in just a few minutes so I’ll see you after the drive.

Media

Beefmobiling

Chuck Zimmerman November 2, 2006

I guess it’s just a beef kind of day here on AgWired. I did have a little drive to Indianapolis thrown into the mix. I’ll be here for meetings tomorrow morning before returning home. Hence the light posting. I did get an announcement from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board about the Beefmobiles gearing up to hit the road again. These folks travel like an agriblogger and they’re invited to write to me on their travels. I’ll post them here. And btw, I had a steak for supper tonight, thank you very much.

After traveling more than 200,000 miles in three years, the beef checkoff’s “Beefmobiles” are ready to log a few more miles, kicking off the fourth year with a mission to visit more than 250 livestock marketing facilities and other beef-related events. At each location, the Beefmobiles and their “Wranglers” provide information – and solicit input – from cattlemen about the Beef Checkoff Program.

Created to provide information about beef and the checkoff’s $1-per-head assessment to producers and consumers, the Beefmobile program has made more than 450 stops in 43 states since its first stop in January 2004 – mostly at livestock auctions, but also at conventions, meetings, tours, and stock shows. In its first year out, the Beefmobile made 100 stops with one “Wrangler;” last year, two Beefmobiles made 250 stops with three wranglers — a task the program will repeat in Fiscal 2007.

During the current year, the Beefmobile is funded with a total of $350,000 in checkoff revenue – $280,000 from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and $70,000 from the Federation of State Beef Councils. The Federation added another $15,000 to conduct 10 stops at consumer events, where requested by state beef councils.

Beef

Alane Blogs Chamberlain

Chuck Zimmerman November 2, 2006

As you may know we built a blog for the Missouri Beef Industry Council. I am happy to see the staff starting to use it to write about the activities they’re involved in. Like today when Alane Lidolph did a post about Chef Richard Chamberlain’s visit to St. Louis. And right before her Dawn Thurnau did a post about a Chef’s Chili Challenge they helped sponsor in Columbia, MO. Good stuff!

From Alane’s post that used this picture:

Nationally renowned chef and co-author of the Healthy Beef Cookbook, Richard Chamberlain, recently traveled the St. Louis area, teaching consumers how to prepare healthy and delicious lean beef recipes. Cooking schools were held at area Dierberg’s grocery store School of Cooking locations, where four recipes from the Healthy Beef Cookbook were featured. All of the recipes utilized one of the 29 cuts of beef that meet government guidelines for lean and showcased how great flavor and nutrition come together to create tender, moist, and flavorful beef dishes. Each participant received a copy of the Healthy Beef Cookbook, Chef Chamberlain’s famous steak seasoning, and of course tasting was part of the fun!

From Dawn’s post:

We were pleased with the turn out to the Chef’s Chili Challenge. 14 teams competed with their favorite chili recipes- all to raise money for the Central Missouri Food Bank.

Here’s the winners; People’s Choice Winner was tied between Carrie Bremer and Stephen’s College. Best Professional Chili went to Boone Tavern. Steve Henderson, representing the Downtown Optimist Club, won best beef chili, while the Forge in downtown won the best pork chili award. The Spiciest- with Style honors went to Johnny’s Beanery and the best chili side dish went to Ramona Anderson with her smore’s brownies.

This is a very nice personal way to communicate with beef producers who support the checkoff funded organization.

Beef

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